Parks and Recreation Director

The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department works hard to maintain and improve the City’s existing park lands, recreational facilities, and trail facilities. Through planning, development, maintenance, and facilities management projects, staff is continually working to enhance and expand facilities to better serve the community and visitors.

A Greenway Corridor Feasibility and Assessment Study was completed in 2016 and serves as a guiding document for connecting Knoxville's greenways and parks.

The Knoxville Urban Wilderness represents a dynamic partnerships that shines a spotlight on the natural, historic, recreational, and environmental resources of a City. A Four-Year Implementation Plan for the Urban Wilderness was created in 2016.

The Parks and Recreation Department works with several other City departments, government agencies and non-for-profit groups to expand trails, park lands, and recreational opportunities for our community. The list below includes capital projects that are currently in progress or have recently been completed.

Most recent update: August 2017
The information below is a list of current and past projects based on the date above.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

First Creek Greenway Development: Woodland Ave. to Edgewood Park
​Description: Through a TDOT Transportation Enhancement Grant awarded to the City of Knoxville, a 0.6 mile section of First Creek Greenway is now under construction from East Woodland Avenue at North Broadway. The section will continue along First Creek crossing North Broadway at Oglewood Avenue and proceed to Edgewood Park. This section of greenway will also connect to the North Knoxville Library and the Larry Cox Senior Center. Location: First Creek Greenway CorridorConsultant: Cannon & CannonContractor: Wilson ConstructionAnticipated Completion: Spring 2018

Natural Surface Trail Maintenance ContractDescription: In January 2016, Parks and Recreation Department staff released a Request for Qualifications for professional natural surface trail maintenance. Natural surface trails are used for mountain biking, trail running and walking. A one-year contract is planned to start in May, with an option to renew for one additional year. Scope of work includes trail standards for maintenance and oversight of approximately 13 miles of natural surface trail within five City parks.Location: Urban Wilderness South Loop Trail System, Fort Dickerson Park, Sharps Ridge Memorial Park, Victor Ashe Park Contractor: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC)
• View Natural Surface Trail Maintenance Contract RFQ [PDF]

Northwest Greenway ConnectorDescription: The Northwest Greenway Connector project includes approximately 4,600 linear feet of new greenway and associated improvements. The greenway will begin at the end of the future Western Avenue Pedestrian Bridge (to be installed by Tennessee Department of Transportation in 2018) and will connect to the existing Victor Ashe Greenway.Location: Corridor B to Victor Ashe ParkConsultant: Barge, Wagoner, Sumner, & CannonAnticipated End Date: Fall 2019

Neyland Greenway Development: Kuwahee SectionDescription: In partnership with KUB, this development project includes the extension of Neyland Greenway for approximately 0.28 miles. The new asphalt trail will extend just after Neyland Greenway traverses underneath Neyland Drive on the north side of the road and will head east to Joan Cronan Way. KUB has completed utility upgrades in this area and has included the greenway design in their landscape enhancement plans for the project. Location: Neyland Greenway CorridorConsultant: KUB led projectAnticipated Start Date: Pending greenway easement,
• View Map of Kuwahee Section [PDF]

Island Home Pathway DevelopmentDescription: Project work includes the development of a walking path from the crosswalk at Spence Place, downhill to the playground and Will Skelton Greenway. As a result of community concern about extensive tree trimming work to maintain the Island Home Airport airspace, a concept plan was prepared by the East Tennessee Community Design Center and presented to the City of Knoxville. Location: Island Home Park Designer: In-house design servicesAnticipated Bid Date: TBD
• View the ETCDC Concept Plan [PDF]

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS

Kyle Testerman Tennis Courts ImprovementsDescription: This maintenance project included asphalt resurfacing of several tennis courts at the Kyle C. Testerman Tennis Complex, as well as added Pickleball lines to 3 courts. There are now 3 pickleball courts with lights that can be epanded to 6 courts with portable nets.Location: Tyson Park Designer: In-house design services Completion: Fall 2017

Zaevion Dobson Memorial ParkDescription:This park project, led by Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) will appeal to children under 12 years old, reflecting the over 200 children under age 12 living in the Lonsdale Homes community. The Knoxville Parks & Recreation Department provided design and project assistance for this new park in honor of the late Zaevion Dobson. Dobson, 15, died shielding two girls from gunfire in the Lonsdale area on December 17, 2015. Dobson's courage has received national attention, including remarks by President Barack Obama and being named the 2016 recipient of the Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPY's.

A public campaign was held to raise the remaining funds needed for the park. KCDC and Gerdau Steel both committed $10,000 each as well as land donations to see this park to completion. Several others have donated time and services, such as Legacy Parks Foundation, Hedstrom Design, and the City of Knoxville's Public Service Department. Individuals or organizations wishing to contribute to this park may contact Legacy Parks Foundation or the KCDC office.Location: Lonsdale HomesCompletion: Spring 2017

Fort Dickerson Park: Gateway DevelopmentDescription: In partnership with the Aslan Foundation, this park development project included the expansion of parkland near the Chapman Highway Access of Fort Dickerson Park. Design features include a large open lawn surrounded by a natural stone seatwall, natural area plantings, an enhanced KAT stop, and a wide sidewalk leading to the parking area near the Harold Lambert Overlook. Location: Fort Dickerson Park Consultant: Carol R. Johnson Associates, Inc. Completion Date: Spring 2017 • View 02/24/16 Public Meeting Presentation [PDF]

Urban Wilderness Master PlanDescription: Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness is a recreational,
cultural and historic preservation initiative within South Knoxville
incorporating 1,000 forested acres. The area invites residents and
visitors alike to experience the special character-defining assets of
Knoxville with more than 40 miles of trails, 10 parks, four Civil War
sites, incredible views and unparalleled natural features. This planning
project is to create an Urban Wilderness Comprehensive Plan that
includes determining a four-year implementation plan, key entry points
and signage. The selected consultant will be responsible for engaging
the participation of key partners to Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. Location: Urban Wilderness Trail SystemConsultant: Equinox Environmental Completion Date: Winter 2016
• View the Urban Wilderness Master Plan RFP [PDF]

Suttree Landing Park Development: Phase 1BDescription: This park development project consisted of 8.25 acres
of parkland. The project included several new facilities such as an
Urban Wilderness themed playground, event lawn, boat launch and dock,
shoreline improvements, overlooks, and 0.36 miles of riverwalk
development as part of the South Waterfront Greenway. When considering
other projects underway through private development projects, portions
of the South Waterfront Greenway will total 0.85 miles in the next year
or so. Suttree Landing Park will offer a new access area at Foggy
Bottom Road with off-street parking for vehicles and trailers hauling
non-motorized watercraft. Construction started summer 2015 with a budget
of $3.34 million.Location: Suttree Landing ParkContractor: Design and Construction Services, Inc. Completion Date: Fall 2016
• View Engineering Project Fact Sheet [PDF]
• Learn More About Suttree Landing Park Development

Sequoyah Greenway Reconstruction: Various SectionsDescription: Sequoyah Greenway, commonly referred to as “Cherokee
Trail,” is one of Knoxville’s most popular trails for running and
walking. This maintenance project includes complete trail reconstruction
of various sections to improve trail tread and drainage and uses
partially recycled concrete in the crushed stone surfacing material.
Sections near Talahi Drive and Woodland Drive have been replaced, with
various sections scheduled to receive attention later this year.Location: Sequoyah Greenway CorridorContractor: Public Service Department Completion Day: Fall 2016
• View Before and After Photos [PDF]

Neyland Greenway Railroad Crossing ReconstructionDescription: Project work includes a trail crossing
realignment over the railroad tracks near the Thompson-Boling Arena
parking garage entrance. This project will lessen the harsh angle at
which trail users currently have to cross the railroad tracks.Location: Neyland Greenway CorridorContractor: Public Service Department Completion Date: Fall 2016

Will Skelton Greenway Stabilization Description: Project work includes reconstruction of approximately 200 linear feet of asphalt trail, resurfacing of an additional 300 linear feet of trail, and micropiles and rock anchors to increase trail stabilization and longevity for Will Skelton Greenway. Project location is east of the Spence Place street crossing and west of the Alamo Avenue street crossing. Construction documents were prepared by Foundation Systems Engineering, P.C. and bids were released in September 2015. Construction started in October. $407,000 is allocated for this project in the Parks and Recreation Department’s Greenway Maintenance Fund.Location: Will Skelton Greenway CorridorContractor: Merit Construction, Inc. Completion Date: April 2016
• View Detour Route Map [PDF]
• View Engineering Project Fact Sheet [PDF]
• View Photo of Completed Project [JPG]

Sharps Ridge Trail SignageDescription: After several years and many volunteer hours from the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, Sharps Ridge Memorial Park now offers 5.25 miles of natural surface trails, including two new neighborhood trailheads located at Dill Street and Hanover Street. To assist trail users on these new trail facilities, the Parks and Recreation Department has installed directional trail signage. The Public Service Department provided labor and materials for sign posts. AMBC directed sign locations, guided in sign language and installed the signs. Sign design was performed by Robin Easter Design with assistance from Legacy Parks. Sign design and printing totaled approximately $3,000.Location: Sharps Ridge Memorial ParkContractor: City of Knoxville Public Service DepartmentCompletion Date: March 2016
• View Photos of Installation [PDF]

Knox-Blount GreenwayDescription: The newly constructed 1.8 miles of asphalt trail is the first substantial section of the Knox-Blount Greenway, bringing the mileage up to 2.2 miles from the beginning at Joe Johnson Drive, across the J.E. “Buck” Karnes Bridge and along the Tennessee River to Knox County’s Marine Park. Trailhead parking is located at Marine Park and the Cherokee Farms Amphitheater. This greenway development project was made possible with a TDOT Transportation Enhancement Grant with a budget of $1.19 million.Location: Knox-Blount Greenway CorridorContractor: Southern Shores Development, Inc.Completion Date: December 2015
• View Engineering Project Fact Sheet [PDF]
• View Knox-Blount Greenway Map [PDF]

ONGOING PROJECTS

Trail Counters ProgramDescription: Trail counters are positioned on strategically-placed posts along Knoxville's most popular greenways and are used to tally the number of runners, bikers, walkers and strollers. The greenway counter project is a partnership effort between the City of Knoxville's Parks and Recreation Department, the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and the local AmeriCorps program. Location: City-wide greenway and trail system
• View Trail Counter Data [PDF]

Parks & Greenways MaintenanceDescription: City parks and greenways require year round maintenance work by the Public Service Department. Activities include mowing of grass, removal of dead trees and limbs, repairs of greenways, repair of park structures, and general cleaning and maintenance.Location: City-wide greenway and trail system